secularising christmas
Religious leaders of non-christian religions are opposed to the current trend of secularising Christmas celebrations, for fear that they would offend non-Christians according to this article:
Amjad Mehboob, chief executive of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said the push towards secularising Christmas out of fear of offending those of other faiths missed the point of what it meant to live in a multi-religious society.
“When other faiths celebrate, this is the ideal opportunity to share a culture… not to suppress it,” he said.
Jeremy Jones, president of Executive Council of Australian Jewry, agreed.
“The celebration of all religions in the public environment is significant not only in enriching education, (but) making everyone feel they belong as they should,” he said.
The solution is not to water down religious festivals, but to focus on a wide range of religious festivals, the meaning behind them and the rituals involved. In doing so, we foster understanding of those that are different and create a society which engages in religious meaning and tradition more deeply.